Western Skies Coalition

393K all to ballots

<table class="DBtable"><tbody><tr class="grey2"><td><a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/ballot.phtml?m=556">AMENDMENT 47: Prohibit Closed Shop</a></td></tr><tr class="grey1"><td><a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/ballot.phtml?m=558">AMENDMENT 49: Paycheck Deductions</a></td></tr><tr class="grey2"><td><a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/ballot.phtml?m=561">AMENDMENT 52: Mineral Severance Tax Fund Allocation</a></td></tr><tr class="grey1"><td><a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/ballot.phtml?m=563">AMENDMENT 54: Regulation Of Campaign Contributions</a>

gov bill ritter

bill owen thus not mcinnis?

one month?

see also western way
http://www.coloradoindependent.com/117249/colorado-gop-donors-fly-below-the-radar-with-maze-of-527-committees

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<h1>Watchdogs still sniffing at McInnis and Western Skies political group</h1>

By <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/author/dwilliams" title="Posts by David O. Williams" rel="author">David O. Williams</a>

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:55 am</div>

    <p><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Colorado campaign watchdog groups are keeping a close eye on a<b>

Virginia nonprofit group with a Littleton address, which they suspect

may be the smoking gun gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis alluded to

on a cryptic voicemail nearly a year ago.

Before he had even filed his paperwork to run for governor, the

former six-term GOP congressman from Colorado’s Western Slope left a

voicemail for a potential campaign contributor <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/28016/political-payback-posting-of-mcinnis-527-comment-could-be-conservative-gop-retribution">referring to a 527 group</a> set up by Republican political operative Sean Tonner.

Late last year, McInnis campaign director George Culpepper resigned, <a href="http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/mcinnis_and_culpeppers_good_day_in_colorado/">later phoning a Montana newspaper</a>

to tell them he still supported McInnis but quit to “form Western

Skies, a political strategies organization based in Colorado.”

Tonner, president of the conservative lobbying firm <a href="http://www.phaseline.com/plsProfiles.htm">Phase Line Strategies</a>, in 2008 registered the <a href="http://westernskiescoalition.org/">Western Skies Coalition</a>,

a 501(c)4 nonprofit “dedicated to promoting issues that make our nation

great.” Western Skies drew criticism from the left for trying to <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/6746/western-skies-or-brown-cloud">“green wash” Republican state Senate candidates</a> in ad campaigns during that election cycle that painted them as pro-environment.

“We’ve got Sean Tonner on board. Sean’s doing our 5-uh, or a 527,” McInnis said on the infamous voicemail first posted on the <a href="http://completecolorado.com/mcinnis.html">Complete Colorado website</a> in April of 2009. “We’ve got lots of support in the oil and gas industry.”

Luis Toro, director of <a href="http://www.coloradoforethics.org/">Colorado Ethics Watch</a>,

said candidates rarely acknowledge any connection to 527 groups –

political organizations named for a section of the IRS tax code – or

501(c)4 nonprofits because it’s considered a coordinated expenditure and

therefore a campaign donation that can violate contribution limits.

“Candidates generally never want to coordinate with these outside

groups, and it was really kind of a shocking statement for those of us

who follow these things to hear a candidate on a voicemail even to

someone he thought was a supporter saying, ‘Sean Tonner’s running our

527,’” Toro said.

In 2008, the Western Skies Coalition was linked to a veritable who’s

who of Republican politicians and political operatives with deep ties to

Colorado’s oil and gas industry, including former Gov. Bill Owens and <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/6864/sources-say-penry-behind-western-skies%E2%80%99-push-for-colorado-gop-senate-majority">state lawmakers Josh Penry</a> and Cory Gardner. The group promoted the <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/7766/the-petroleum-pledge-western-skies-backers-sign-onto-%E2%80%98energy-action-plan%E2%80%99">Energy Leadership Action Plan Pledge</a>, which called for a more “balanced” emphasis on oil, gas and coal.

“[McInnis] said Sean Tonner is setting up our 527, so maybe he was

talking about Western Skies,” Toro said. “And then when his former

campaign manager [Culpepper] quits or leaves and goes to run that very

same organization, that’s a red flag, so we’re certainly going to be

watching this closely.”

None of the lawmakers involved with the group and contacted by the

Colorado Independent would discuss its funding sources, but it <a href="http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991560-gossip-12210">reportedly raised nearly $400,000</a>

in its stated pursuit of “removing limits on new oil and gas

exploration, restructuring the burdensome requirements placed on energy

production in the United States and supporting the research of renewable

energy.”

McInnis, <a href="http://www.hhlaw.com/smcinnis/">an attorney for a Denver law firm</a> that does extensive work for the oil and gas industry, has been <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/45720/even-as-hickenlooper-sets-to-announce-candidacy-mcinnis-continues-campaign-against-ritter-drilling-regs">campaigning on a platform</a>

that would roll back Gov. Bill Ritter’s more environmentally stringent

oil and gas drilling regulations. He also has provided lip service to

the renewable sector, but, like Penry and Gardner, is a staunch opponent

of Ritter’s “New Energy Economy.”

Western Skies was briefly inactive but filed an annual report in August of 2009 and is now <a href="http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/ViewImage.do?masterFileId=20081183494&fileId=20091429212">listed under the business section of the Colorado Secretary of State’s website</a> as a nonprofit corporation in good standing.

In a <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/6955/western-skies-coalition-lists-owens-bennett-on-executive-committee-2">press release announcing the formation of Western Skies</a>

in late 2007, Tonner announced former Gov. Owens, also a former oil and

gas lobbyist, and former U.S. Secretary of Education and George H.W.

Bush drug czar Bill Bennett would serve on the executive committee.

Tonner is Owens’ former chief of staff, and Owens’ daughter, Monica,

works for Phase Line.

“I thought [McInnis’s 527 voicemail] was especially shocking, and

from a longtime congressman who’s run lots of campaigns it just seemed

like one of those, Really, did he just say that? kind of moments,” said Pete Maysmith, executive director of <a href="http://www.coloradoconservationvoters.org/">Colorado Conservation Voters.</a>

“It certainly indicates [McInnis] and the folks on his team are

thinking along those lines; otherwise I don’t know why it would come out

of his mouth. So does it make us go, Hmmm, that’s something we need to be on the watch for? Absolutely. Of course.”

McInnis spokesman Sean Duffy did not return calls requesting comment;

Culpepper could not reached for comment; a phone number listed on the

Western Skies website has been disconnected; and a message left for

Tonner at Phase Line Strategies in Highlands Ranch was not returned.----Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 04:45 AM PDT

<h2><a id="titleHref" href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/23/958914/-The-Corporate-Takeover-of-the-Colorado-GOP-Part-II">The Corporate Takeover of the Colorado GOP Part II</a></h2>

by <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/user/rblinne">rblinne</a><a class="type-user do-hotlist do-updateContent size-tiny off altTooltip ajaxON" alt="Follow this author" href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/23/958914/-The-Corporate-Takeover-of-the-Colorado-GOP-Part-II#?friend_id=187124&is_stream=1">Follow</a> for <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/blog/Colorado%20COmmunity">Colorado COmmunity</a>

In my previous diary I focused on how corporate influence has

supplanted normal party operations for fundraising and organizing. Now

I'm going to look at the messaging side. Specifically I'm going to look

at the greenwashing that the secretly-funded astroturf organizations do.

My congressman, Cory Gardner, rather than supporting the burgeoning

green energy industry in his district, he instead supports his oil and

gas buddies.

Gardner has been busy going against the wishes of his constituents.  He sponsored H.R. 97, a bill so short that it can be <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.97:">quoted</a> in full:

<blockquote>To amend the Clean Air Act to provide that greenhouse gases are not subject to the Act, and for other purposes.

* Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

* This Act may be cited as the `Free Industry Act'.

SEC. 2. GREENHOUSE GAS REGULATION UNDER CLEAN AIR ACT.

* Section 302(g) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7602(g)) is

amended by adding the following at the end thereof: The term air

pollutant' shall not include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane,

nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur

hexafluoride.'.

SEC. 3. CLIMATE CHANGE NOT REGULATED BY CLEAN AIR ACT.

* Nothing in the Clean Air Act shall be treated as authorizing or

requiring the regulation of climate change or global warming.

</blockquote>

He justified this position as <a href="http://gardner.house.gov/press-release/hearty-oversight-epa-gardner%E2%80%99s-watch">follows</a> from his press release:

<blockquote>The EPA has been using the Clean Air Act to quietly impose

carbon emission restrictions that are outside the authority of the Act,

placing a bigger burden on local governments and consumers as they

struggle to comply with the stricter regulations.  Rep. Gardner, whose

district is predominantly rural, is especially concerned with the impact

EPA policies are having on farmers and ranchers.</blockquote>

Predominately rural? According to the <a href="http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cd109th/CO/ur_c9_08.pdf">Census Bureau</a> CD4 is 75% urban.

Furthermore, he's not representing his district. Here's an <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/media/2011/110210.asp">NRDC poll</a> of his district:

<blockquote>Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colo.

(519 voters interviewed February 4-5/margin of error: plus or minus 4.3 percent)

* 66 percent say "Congress should let the EPA do its job."

    * 54 percent say that "EPA needs to do more to hold polluters accountable and protect the air and water."

    * 61 percent oppose the Upton proposal "that would block the EPA from limiting carbon dioxide pollution."

* 55 percent favor "the EPA setting new standards with stricter limits on air pollution."

</blockquote>

So, how did he get elected when he is so out of step with his

moderate, purple, district? Short answer,  greenwashing. Long answer,

below the fold.

</div>

Gardner help found The Western Skies Coalition, a 501 (c)(4) advocacy

group incorporated in Virginia but with an office in Littleton.  Former

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and former U.S. Secretary of Education Bill

Bennett are two of the noted members of the organization’s “constantly

growing” executive committee. Here's their <a href="http://www.westernskiescoalition.org/pdf/WSC_PR_10-11-07.pdf">announcement</a>:

<blockquote>Western Skies Coalition Launches Website Coalition dedicated to promoting issues that make America great

Denver, Colo. (October 10, 2007) – Today, Western Skies Coalition

established a strong presence on the Internet by launching an

interactive, information-packed website at

www.WesternSkiesCoalition.org. Western Skies Coalition, a 501(c)(4)

tax-exempt organization, is dedicated to promoting issues that make

America great: protection of individual freedom; a pro-growth economic

agenda; a strong national defense strategy; and the preservation of the

environment.

“Working with policy experts and a strong grassroots network, our

goal is to educate elected officials and promote policies through

broadcast media, mail and the Internet,” said Sean Tonner, president of

Western Skies Coalition. Former Colorado Governor Bill Owens and Former

U.S. Secretary of Education Bill Bennett are two of the noted members of

the constantly growing Western Skies Coalition’s Executive Committee.

The website includes discussions and white papers on topics such as tax

reform, immigration, health care, energy and U.S. competition, as well

as recent news stories and contribution information. “Launching this

site is the first step toward bringing important policy information to

citizens of the West,” Tonner said.

Editorial Contact

Sean Tonner

Mobile: (303) 916-0266

</blockquote>

So, Western Skies has said above that they are organized as a

501(c)(4). They've yet to file with the Internal Revenue Service,

according to a <a href="http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/search.do?nameSearchTypeStarts=false&names=western+skies&nameSearchTypeAll=true&city=&state=All...&country=USA&deductibility=all&dispatchMethod=search&submitName=Search">search</a> I did of IRS records.

Sean Tonner of Phase Line Strategies, a conservative consulting firm based in Highlands Ranch, <a href="http://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/ViewImage.do?masterFileId=20081183494&fileId=20081183494">filed</a> Western Skies as a foreign entity with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office on April 2 of 2008.

Speaking of Sean Tonner here he's <a href="http://completecolorado.com/mcinnis.html">referred</a> to in a voice mail by Scott McInnis for his 527 (which is a no no because of coordinations with campaigns).

<blockquote>WANNA VISIT WITH YOU ON THIS TWO-THOUSAND-AND-TEN GOVERNOR'S RACE...

I'M GONNA RUN FOR GOVERNOR, WE'VE GOT A GREAT TEAM ON-BOARD, WE'RE

PICKING UP A LOT OF SUPPORT, I KNOW YOU HEAR THAT, BUT THE FACT IS UHH,

FROM CANDIDATES, BUT THE FACT IS WE REALLY HAVE. IT'S GOING VERY WELL.

WE'VE GOT SEAN TONNER ON BOARD, BARB CARD ON BOARD, SHE'S DOIN' OUR FINANCE, SEAN'S DOIN' OUR 5-UH....(COUGH) OR A-527, MIKE HESSE IS, UH, DOIN' OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, WE'VE GOT BARB McTURK ON OUR VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS,

WE'VE GOT LOTS OF SUPPORT IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY,

LOTS OF SUPPORT IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, LOTS OF SUPPORT FROM, UH,

THE LEGISLATIVE ARENA, ESPECIALLY FORMER LEGISLATORS, AND SO ON AND SO

FORTH,

</blockquote>

When asked about the voicemail by the Denver Post, McInnis <a href="http://www.politicswest.com/39794/mcinnis_voicemail_raises_campaign_law_questions">replied</a>.

<blockquote>McInnis, who verified that he left the message, points out

he's not officially announced his candidacy or formed a candidate

committee, so the rules do not yet apply.

And what he really meant to say was that Tonner, president of

consulting firm Phase Line Strategies, is a supporter and answering

questions about potential future 527s, he said.

</blockquote>

The only 527-style organization that I can find done by Phase Line is

the Western Skies Coalition and it puts the oil and gas comment also in

perfect context. From my poking around it really appears that

candidates like McInnis and Norton were the real Tea

Party candidates.  That is, those with the backing of the corporations.

(This is how Governor Walker snuck in. People weren't looking for who

was owned by the corporations but who was the craziest as the Tea Party

candidate.) When the useful idiots picked the wrong guys (Maes and Buck)

they were left to flail in the wind because they weren't as "owned" by

the corporate donors. Remember <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15735182">this</a>?

When it looked like McInnis' plagarism was fatal to his cause and Maes

was going to win, the powers that be courted ReMax founder, Dave Liniger

immediately prior to the primary:

<blockquote>ReMax founder Dave Liniger is being courted by fellow

Republicans to jump into the governor's race, a prospect Liniger is

considering, multiple sources involved in or close to the conversations

told The Denver Post Tuesday.

...

GOP donors and leaders have had on-going conversations about trying

to squeeze McInnis out. His big donors and GOP stalwarts, such as former

Gov. Bill Owens or former Sen. Hank Brown, are expected to try and

convince him that abandoning the race in favor of someone else is the

party's best chance for success in November, GOP sources said.

</blockquote>

Another Phase Line Strategies principal is Mike Ciletti who is Gardner's campaign manager. According to <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mike_Ciletti">Source Watch</a>.

<blockquote>Mike Ciletti was a principal in Phase Line Strategies, a

Colorado public affairs and political consulting firm founded in 2002.

In 2006, he was a spokesman for Wal-Mart.  In 2009 he started New West

Public Affairs , a Colorado firm that organizes grassroots advocacy

campaigns and promotes Teleforum [Note: remember this

as I will be bringing this up later.]  as a PR and advocacy tool to help

influence statewide legislation. He started the firm with his friend,

Jake Zambrano .

Prior to joining Phase Line, Ciletti served as Deputy Director for

Colorado Governor Bill Owens ' Office of Innovation and Technology. He

also worked for for U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Congressman

Joel Hefley (R-CO). [2] He was also political director of the Colorado

Republican Party from 1999-2000. He obtained a BS in political science

from Regis University in 1994

</blockquote>

The Colorado Independent <a href="http://coloradoindependent.com/7766/the-petroleum-pledge-western-skies-backers-sign-onto-%E2%80%98energy-action-plan%E2%80%99">found</a> the following when they looked into Western Skies Coalition in 2008:

<blockquote>Rep. Frank McNulty is one of a trio of GOP state lawmakers

thought to be behind the Western Skies Coalition — a Virginia

corporation raising oil and gas money to target keystate senate races.

In an interview with Colorado Independent, McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch) declined to discuss the group’s funding sources.

“I signed the Western Skies pledge on a balanced energy portfolio,”

McNulty said. “I think that’s critically important. We need to be

looking at traditional sources like coal, and hopefully clean-coal

technologies, and natural gas. We also need to look at increasing the

use of hydro power. And I think we need to look at nuclear.”

</blockquote>

What is this <a href="http://www.coloradoindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/western-skies-coalition-energy-leadership-action-plan-091008.jpg">pledge</a>? (large graphic ommitted)

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